Source: FOOTYMAD
Kalala: 'The manager said he would like to sign me & I want to join Southend United' : Yeovil Town
Ex-Bristol Rovers and before the Bulls of Hereford United: Shrimpers trailist midfielder Jean-Paul Kalala has joined Ryan Leonard as the top of the want list of Blues boss Paul Sturrock and is just as keen to sign on the dotted line. Jean-Paul 'Kamudimba' Kalala: In Luggy's sights So, there could be another Frenchman on the Shrimpers books. The first thoughts were, 'another midfielder', but as the faithful caught site of a poor perforrmance by Crystal Palace season loanee Alassane N'Diaye, early days of course and Blues boss Paul Sturrock is on the case, another 'enforcer' in the middle of the park would not go amiss. After the usual post-match tweeting Luggy told Echoman Chris Phillips: 'Pleased with second half and impressed by Kalala. Will be having a chat with N'diaye and stressed he must change the way he plays.' While the man himself, Jean-Paul that is, said: 'The manager has said he would like to sign me and I want to join so hopefully something can be sorted.' So what formation Luggy go for now in the opening League Two game against Hereford United at Rooots Hall a fortnight away? Without forwards Barry Corr and Blair Sturrock, and with possibily no new striking signing, Neil Harris on his own and the two wideboys either side of him, but that didn't look too good in the first half in the 1-1 friendly draw with Ipswich Town, so with Bilel working well with Bomber and Chris Phillips looking OK, that could see the back four and front three worked out,Hall seeing off Johnstone, but the men in the middle? Grant and Ferdy look in, so Kalala looks good to play in front of the defence but that could leave us short, especially away. A tough one for Luggy to work on, but, at the end of the day, that's what he's paid for, and the home friendly with Norwich City next Thursday should gives us all an even better idea of where the dice may fall. Kalala started his career in France playing for Nice before moving to Grimsby Town in 2005. From The Mariners Jean-Paul moved on to play for Yeovil Town and Oldham Athletic before moving back to Grimsby on loan in 2008. He re-joined Yeovil for a second spell in 2009 before signing for Bristol Rovers kast year but has been released by new boss Paul Buckle. The Kalala Files Personal information Full name Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala Date of birth 16 February 1982 (1982-02-16) (age 29) Place of birth Lubumbashi, Zaire Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Playing position Midfielder Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 1999-2003 Nice B 118 (3) 2003-2005 Nice 2 (0) 2005-2006 Grimsby Town 21 (5) 2006-2007 Yeovil Town 38 (1) 2007-2009 Oldham Athletc 20 (0) 2008-2009 → Grimsby Town (loan) 21 (2) 2009-2011 Yeovil Town 49 (1) 2011 Bristol Rovers 11 (0) National team‡ 2002-2006 Congo DR 7 (0) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11:11, 17 May 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:51, 31 January 2008 (UTC) (Player info supplied by Wikipedia, for the full player info go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Paul_Kalala) Shrimpers Pre-Season Schedule Monday, July 11th - Dartford 0 Southend United 3 Tuesday, July 12th - Great Wakering Rovers 0 Southend United 5 Saturday, July 16th - Dundee 2 Southend United 0 Sunday, July 17th - Raith Rovers 0 Southend United 0 Wednesday, July 20th - Braintree Town 1 Southend United 1 Friday, July 22nd - SOUTHEND UNITED 1 IPSWICH TOWN 1 Monday, July 25th: Needham Market (away) Thursday, July, 28th - NORWICH CITY (HOME), 19.45 Saturday, July 30th - Canvey Island (away), 15.00. (SUFC X1)
